Xijv i



W. K. HOWE, W. S. HENRY AND F. N. HALL.,

SWITCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29. |915. I

Patented .I une 17, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. K. HOWE, W. S. HENRY AND F. N. HALL.

SWITCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 29. IgIs.

1,307,206). PfIIenIed June 17, 1919.

9 sIIESTs-SIIEET 2.

A TTUH/VE Y W. K. HOWE, W. S. HENRY AND F. N. HALL.

SWHCH MACHINE.

APPucATloN F1151) 11011.29. 1915.

1 807' 200 Patented Junel?, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W INVENTZQFM f?) 74M 1L w. yH. Howe, w. s. HENRY AND F. N. HALL. SWICH MACHlNE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29. 1915.

1 ,$07,200. Patented June 17, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. K. HOWE, W. S. HENRY AND F. N. HALL.

SWITCH MACHINE.

APPLlcATmN FILED Nov. 29. 191s.

1,307,200. Patented June 17, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WY. K. HOWE, W. S. HENRY AND F.' N. HALL.'

SWITCHMACHINE. APPUCATION FILED Nov. 20. 1915.

Patent-0d J une 17, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

w.'| Howi, w. s. HENRY AND F. N. HALL.

SWI'TCH-MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29| 1915.

Patented June 17. 1919.

W.. K. HOWE, W. S. HENRY AND F. NQHALL.

SWHCH MA0H|NE- APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29. 1915. 1,307,200'. Patented Junel?, 1919.

YSTSHEETS-.S'HEET 8.

W. K. HOWE, W. S. HENRY AND F. N. HALL.

SWITCH MACHINE.

APPLLCATION FILED. NOV. 29. 1915.

' 1,307,200'. Patented June 17, 1919.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

fue Nmzms rsrsns oo.. Fuumurua.. wAsmNcmN. n. c

UNITED 'sTATEs PATENT OFFICE. i'

WINTHROF K. HoWE, WILLIAM s. HENRY, ANI) FREDERICK N. IIALL, oF ROCHESTER,

NEW YORK, AssIGNoRs To GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF GATES, NEW

YORK, A CORPORATION oF NEW YORK.

SWITCH-MACHINE.

` Specication of Letters Pater/1t.. Patented June 17, 1919.

Application filed November 29, AP915. Serial N o. 64,138. Y

T0 all whom #may concern.'

Be it known that'we, WINTHnoP K. HowE, vWILLIAM S. HENRY, and FREDERICK N. HALL, citizens of the UnitedStates, and residents of thee-ity of Rochester, in thecounty of Monroe and State of New York, have in vented'a new and useful Switch-Machine, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relatesto electrically operated switch machines for interlocking systems for railways. Y I

Oneof the objects of this invention is to construct and arrange the parts of an electrically Ioperated switchl machine so that these parts can be made strong andyet light, will occupy a small compass and will be readily accessible for inspection, adjustment or repair.

A further object isto devise an electrically operated switch machine which can be used in electric interlocking systems in which the indication current is derived from some source `other than that Ygenerated by the motor itself, and which will operate to prevent a falseindication of its move. ment being given. 1

A further object is to construct the con-' trolling devices for the motor which operates theswitch machine so that said moto-rv can .be reversed and the parts of. the switch machine restored t-o their former positions at any time after the initial movement of the motor. y

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description o-f the.V invention pro'- gresses, and the novel features of the inven-v tion will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts, which are more fully set forth hereinafter.

In describing the invention in detail, ref-f erence is had to the accompanying drawing, wherein we have illustrated a preferred physical embodiment of our invention, and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which-- Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch layout typical of well known construction, and shows a switch machine embodying theinvention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a tabular diagram which illustrates graphically the timesat which the different parts ofthe switch machine move during the movement of the operating motor from its position of rest in one position of the switch to its otherv the switch'machine; Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the switch machine which is hereinafter termed the indication controllingv mechanism, Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view, diagrammatic in its nature, which shows the. parts ofthe indication controlling mechanism, said parts being broken and spread apart vertically so as t-o showy their relative arrangement and positions; Fig. Sis an enlarged plan view ofthe braking mechanism, said view-being a horizontalY section taken substantially on the line 8-8 in Fig. 4, certain parts @being removed, theline of section. being also indicated by the line 8 8 in Fig. 9, Fig. 9 is an enlarged section taken transversely of the switch machine and shows the braking mechanism, said; section being taken substantially on the line 9&9 in Fig. 8, said line of section beingalso indicatedY by the line in Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is a detail elevation of va. brake hanger, said elevation being taken substantially on the line 10-10 in Fig. 9 and drawn to a larger scale than. said Fig. 9; Fig. l1 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on the line 11-11 in Figs. 3

and 4, certain parts being broken away for the sake of clearness; and Figs. l2 to l5 lare views, diagrammatic in their nature, which show the different tant operating parts ofthe switch machine during the operation of the switch from one of its positions to its o-ther position.

Referring to theaccompanying drawing,

positions of the impor.V

Fig. 1 shows a switch machine embodying 1 the invention applied to a switch layout typical of wel] knownconstruction, in which thc stock rails are designated by the numeral 1 and `thefin'ov'able switch points Iby the numeral i2..V The switchmachine as a whole is designated A, the parts thereof being mounted on a base plate B (see l* igs. 3 and Ll) which has perforated lugs 3 by means of iate casing et which is located'at oneend of V the switch machine A, and which has an annular flange 5 fastened by bolts G to a similar flange of a spacing sleeve or housing 7, which is integral with the supporting frame of the switch machine. The switch points 2 a re connected by the usual frontrod 8 which is connected to the lock rod 9 in the usual manner; and in a. similar way, the throw bar 10 of the switch machine A is connected to the throw rod 11 of the switch whichextends through 'a bracket 12 fixed to a switch rod 13 connecting said switch points 2, adjustable locking nuts 14 on said throw rod 11 acting as stops to cause said throw rod to move the bracket 12 after a limited aniouiit of free increment. `The detector bar 15 is mounted on rocking links 16 in the usual way and is connectedy b-y a link 17 to one end of a. lever 18 which is pivoted on a suitable .fixed pivot, the other end of said lever 18 beingl connected vto the locking bar 2O of the switch niacliine'A. For convenience in description, the end of the switch machine A adjacent to the lever 18, and opposite to the motor casing Ll, will be hereinafter termed the front end.

Referring to Figs. 3 and hithe' parts of the switch machine are supported in boxlike frames or casings fastened to suitable bosses or lugs on the basek plate B; and the first frame at the rear end of the machine adjacent to the motor is for the friction clutch K and the braking mechanism and comprises two parts 21 and 22 which are fastened together by tap bolts 23 and which are secured to the base plate B by othertap bolts 2%-2'f and 25-f25, respectively. kIn-I tegral with the rear wall4 of the .frame 21 is a boss 26, which is bored to forma bear-v ing'for the driving shaft 27, suitable reduction gearing being interposed between the driving shaft 27 and the motor shaft (not shown) if found necessary or desired, because of the relatively low torque exerted L Some types of motor.

""The driving shaft 27 is integral with or secured to a plate 28, which forms the end CII cap for a casing 29 of the friction clutch K which has a cylindrical portion constituting a brake drum 19, (see Fig. 5). Extending through the casing 29 of the friction clutch K is an operating shaft 30, one end of which is journaled in the end capv 28; and to the operating lshaft 30 are fixed a number of friction disks 31, which are alternately arranged with other friction disks 32 secured io the casing` 29 a spring 33 andan adjust-- iut 34; servi to press said friction disks 31 and 32 together. The friction 4clutch is shown -inerely as an example of a suitable construction which can be usedA with the switch machine, but it is tovbe understood that other formsof friction clutchesinay be used if desired.

lSecured to the base plate B near its middle by tap bolts 35 is a gear frame G which has integr-.il with its side walls a cross brace 36, and which has a lengthwise brace 37 extending from the middle of said cross brace 36 to the middle of the rear end wall of said gear casing G, saidbraces 36 ant 37 being spaced above the upper face of the! base plate B so as to leave a space for the operating gears. A shaft =38 is )ouriialed at its lower end in the base plate B 'and at its Vupper end" in the lengthwise brace 37, and

to this shaft 38i's fixed a bevel gear 39 which meshes wit-ha bevel pinion 40 fixed to the' shaft V30. U1Extending dowiiiifardly through the cross "brace `3G near its middle is stud bolt L1 which screws intoa 4bearing stud 42 (see lFig. 4f) having a` rim or flange at its lower end; and mountedon this bearing stud 42 isa main driving gear 4-1 which meshes with a pinion dr'keyed to the shaft or caps and 51 (see Fig. 3) integral with the gear frame Gr; and sa'idthrcw fbar 10 is formed with al jaw' or yoke 52 between its endsfwhich is guided 'by lugs 53 integra with said gear frame Gr' and which has therein a-U-shape notch 54k adapted tc receive the upper roller 48 on the driving pin 47.

The locking bar20 of the switch mach-ine extends 'longitudinally thereofbeing guided in suitable grooves formed in the baseV plate B, and has a-wide head 55 at its rear end, wliiehrests upon a guiding surface A:5(5(s,e'e Fig. 3) formed on each side of the gear frame G, and which has a cam slot v'57 therein of al general Velliptical shape adapted tocopcrate with the lower roller L19 on the driving pin 47. A locking dog 58 is secured to the locking bar 2O near its middle and is? arranged to pass behind the sides of the yoke 52 'of the throw bar 10 and thereby lock the said throw bar 10. Near the front end of the locking bar 20 is secured another locking dogl 59 for lockingtheflock rod 9 of the switch. `The locking dog 59 has in its rear end la rectangular notch 591 having beveled corners Vfor the purpose hereinafter ex-l ioo notches GO` and (5I-.in their-'lower edges, shown to the best advantage'in Fig; 111 and, Figs. l2 to l5; andr'thesetwo bars 9 are provided with adjustingnuts91f (see Fig. 1) by means'of which said `bars 91fmay. be moved lengthwise relatively to each other. The two notches 60 and 61 in each of these bars 9a are of diferentlengths, fthe long notch 6l -in one bar'bein'g arranged opposite to the sho-rt notch GOin the other bar, theshort-notch 60Minv each case. being just wide enough toreceive the locking` dog 59 without appreciablev play. These bars 9ZL constituting the lock rod, extend transversely ofthe base-plate B-of the switch machine nearits front end and areguided nearl each side of-saidbaseplate'byra'ycap 62 (see Fig. 3) of' a supporting frame or cast-1 ing L which is fastenedbyfbolts V63 to thek base plate B.. Y Y

This 'supportingl frame L has two 'upf wardlyv extending lugs: 64:' and 65 integral therewit-lnand in' these lugsis journaled a rock-shaft 66 which is pinnedf'te'arockermember G7 of substantially invertedY-shape and having two operating armsv (see Figl 11). Secured to each of the'vbars 91of the lock rod 9 is a dog 68 which is arranged to engage the operating arms of the rockermember 6 7 and torock saidrocker-member 67and the rock-shaft 6G`when the lock rod 9' is moved back and forth. The rear end portion of the rock-shaft 66 is square in cross section and straddling this end portion is the upper bifurcated end' of a tripper arm G9 whichis pivotally connected tosaid rock-v shaft G6 by a. pin 70, thereby permitting said tripper arm'69 to rock back and forth in a vertical plane"longitudinally of the switch machine but causing said tripper arm 69 lte movecsidewise in correspondence with'the movement of the rock-shaft 66.

Secured to the base plateB near-the front end thereof is a box-like casing P, vhereinafter termed the po-le-changer'casing, which has a. removable cover .71 and which contains thc devices for controlling the operating and indication circuits of the switch machine. Near eaclr'end yof the pole-changer casing P are two supporting blocks 7 2 which ing; and secured to the .ends of saidfsupporting blocks 72 are two contact supporting `bars 74 of suitable insulating material to which are adjustably secured a plurality ofcontact springs 7,5. Extending across the pole-changer casing?.` and transversely of the base plate B are two 'parallel' round rods 7 6 secured at theirV ends in any. suitable manner to the side walls of said pole-changer casing; and slidably mounted on these rods 7G is a slide 77 to which Ais secured affblock 7 8 Vof -insulatii'ig'material having embedded therein metallic contact pieces 79, the confastened a pole-changer operating Varm 8l which has a forked end straddling-a down-- wardly projecting pin 82 secured to the. slide 77 and which has 'two .laterally extending lugs orprojections 83 Yand 831. end of ythe shaft and'below the bottom of the pole-changer'casing P a crankzarni Si lAt the lowerV isfastened te .or integral with saidfshaft SO,

which crank arm extendsffrom said shaft 80 in the direction opposite to the direction in' which said'pole-jchanger operating arm 81 extends,1 and whichhas two ylaterally V.projecting knobs 85," substantially wedge-shape. Two guiding strips 86 are fastened by screwsY or rivets-to the upper fare'of the-locking barV 20 so as to leave a space between th'em'su'b-- stantially equal to the distancebetween' the outer edges of the kuobs'IS ofthe crankarm 84, 'inclined shoulders 87"being formed on the v guiding strips 'S61 at.: their VforwardV ex# tiemities for the purpose Vexplained herein#Y a ter.A v 'Y Y In front'of'theshaft A8,0 is a transverselyY extending carrierblock 88 :which is pivota'lly' connected ati-its ends to two levers 90and` 901 journaled on pivot studs 9lintegral-with thel base plate B', and which has 92 and 92-1each having an enlargedlhead, mounted loosely-to slide in transverse Vbores therein. The otherends of the levers 90 and 901, hereinafter termed the'indicationvlevers, extend rearwardly -into thefpath of movement of a pin 93 fixedy in the yoke 52 of the throw bar'lO. ',The pins 92 and 921 inthe carrier block SSare on a level with the pro-V v jections S3A and 831 asociated with the pole`` changer voperating armSl and alsoon a level with the upper part of the locking dog 59,

and said pins 92 and 921 are also positionedv so as to be struck bythe lower'end of the tripper arm 69'.

Referring more particularlyto Figs. 3, .4,

S, '9, and 10, the vbraking mechanism. is

mounted in the frame'for the friction clutch' K and comprises'twobrake-hangersH and H1., one on ,each side ofthe .brake drum 19, each of said brakehangersHand H'1 co`nsisting of two side portions 94 (seeFig. 10),' a'

lower connecting portion'95 and a cylindrical upper connecting portion 96. The" parts associated Vwith each of the rbrake hangers Hand H1 are constructedandarranged'the same, anda description of one will sui'licei for both. The upperV connecting portion 9G of each of the lbrake.hangers H and H1 "is" jo'urnaled on asha'ft 97 which is supported at one vend inf a bossv 98 'integral with the outerendwall of the-frame' 21,' and which is supported at its other end in a lug or proj ectwo pins I tion 99 integral, with the inner end wall of said frame 21, said shaft 97 being held in place by being pinned to said lug 99. Each brake shoe comprises a brake block 100 and a suitable brake lining 101 held in place on l the concave face of said brake block 100 by upper and lower clamping plates 102 secured by screws to said brake block 100; and each brake shoe is pivotally connected by a pin 103 to the outerbifurcated end of a brake shoe supporting arm 104, which is fastened to a shortshaft 105 by apin 106, said shaft 105 being journaled in the side portions 94 of the corresponding brake hanger H or H. Integral with the upper Connecting portion 96 of each brake hanger -H and H1 is an arm 107 which extends outwardly in the direction away from the brake drum 19; and a tension spring 108 is hooked at one end in a hole 109 in the outer end of said arm 107 and at its other end around the pin 103 between the bifurcations of the outer end of the corresponding arm 104. The under. face 110 of the upper connecting .portion 96 of each brake hanger H andH1 is flattened to form a stop for limiting the upward movement of the corresponding brake shoe 100.

Along each side portion 94 of each brake hanger H and Hl near the lower end thereof, is a ridge 111 forming a stop for a rectangular follower plate 112 interposed between said side portions 94 and loosely mounted on the cylindrical end portions of a brake operating rod 113 extending transversely of the switch machine. The middle portion of the brake operating rod 113 is rectangular in cross section so as to leave shoulders which limit the movement ofthe follower plates 112 toward the middle of said rod 113.` Encircling each end portion of the brake oper'- atingrod 113 is a compression coil spring f 11,4,one end of which bears against the corresponding follower plate 112, and theother end of which bears against a. washer 115 held in place on the corresponding end of said rod by a cotterv pin 116. Integral with the base plate B are two pairs of upwardly projecting lugs' or stops 117 and^1171 which are arranged in the path of movement of the lower connecting portions 95 of the brake hangers H and H1L and which serve to limit the movement of said brake hangers inl both directions. A downwardly projecting pin 118 is fixed in the brake operating rod 113 near the middle thereof; and journaled on a short bearing stud 119 integral with the basey plate B is a brake lever 120, one end of which is forked and straddles the pin 118, and the other end of which has a linger 121 extending out into the path of movement of the upper roller 48 on the driving pin 47, said brake lever 120 having an arcuate slot 122 therein to clear the shaft 38 which supe ports the bevel gear 39 and the pinion 45.

The brake linings 101 ofthe brake shoes are arranged to press against the surface of the brake drum 19 forming part of the casing 29 of the friction clutch. 4

A suitable coverV for the whole machine is provided, said cover preferably comprising two end castings 200V and an intermediate portion201 ofsheet metal (see Fig. 4).

The switch machine is designed'to Vbe controlled from a distant point by a suitable manually operable circuitcontroller, such as, for example, thelever shown and described in the patent to John D. Taylor No. 752,127, datedFebruary 16, 1914; andin practice the switch machine and its controlling lever are connected together by an arrangement of controlling devices and circuits suitable forV governing the operation of the y'switch machine, and for giving indications of'such operations. One arrangement of Vcontrolling devices and circuits applicable to this switch machine is disclosed in the 'applicationrof Charles S. Bushnell, Serial No.1161,171 filed April 14, i 1917.

Operation: The parts are shown in Figs. 3 to 12 inclusive` in their normal position. When the controlling lever is moved to the reverse indication position, as will be readily understood by those skilled Yin theart, current is supplied to the -operating motorv and it vdrives the shaft 27, and disregarding forthe present the action-of the braking mechanism, the friction clutch K drives the operating shaft 30 which in turn drives the main gear 44 by means of the `bevel pinion 40 and thebevel gear 39 and pinion 45, thereby causing the driving pin 47 and the rollers 48 andV 49 carried thereby-to move in a circular path. Fig. 2 shows a table of the time of operation of the different parts of the switch machine, the horizontal distances in this gure representing in degrees one coinplete revolution of the driving pin 47 and the vertical lines intersecting the1 different 1l,

horizontal lines pointing out where a change is made in the operating part v corresponding to that horizontal line. Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, show diagrammatically the positions at different points in one revolution ofthe main gear 47, of the throw bar 10, the brake lever 120, the locking bar 20, the lock rod 9, the indication lever 90v and 901 and the pole-changer operating arm 81.

In Fig. 12, the above mentioned parts are shown in their positions corresponding to the normal position of the switch, and when current is supplied to the motor to throw the switch from its normal position to its reverse position, the driving pin 47 will be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow X in this Fig. 12. During the arc of the first few degrees I(about 52") of the movement of the driving pin 47 said driving pin moves freely without actuating any of the parts of the switch machine, since the rear edge of the cam slot 57 .in thehead 55 of the locking bar 20 is formed on the arc of a circle concentric with the main gear ,44. This free run of the motor permits its armature to accelerate and attain such speed that the motor is able to develop its gfull'y power in the subsequent movement ofthe switch'. After this freerun of the motor armature the lower roller 49 on the driving pin 47 strikes the front edge of the cam slot 57, and during the next part of themovement of said driving pin 47 (from about 52OV to 137) the locking bar 20 isy moved-forward.

During the irst part of this movement of the locking bar 20 the inclined shoulder 87 0n one of the guiding strips 86 secured to said lockingbar engages the corresponding knob 85 of the crank arm 84, and as can be seen to the-best advantage in Fig. 7, causes the crank arm .84, the shaft 80 and the polechanger operating arm 81 to beshifted to their middle positions, thereby moving the contact pieces 7 9 on the block 78 of the polechanger into a corresponding middle'position and breaking both indicationl circuits.

About two-thirds of the movement of the locking bar 2O` (from about 52o to 100) is employed to drawthe locking dogs 58- and 59 out of their locking position with reference to the throw bar 10 and the lock rod 9,

respectively, the remaining movement ,of-

said locking bar 20 being idle as. indicated in Fig. 2. l.This excess' idle movement, ofthe locking4 'bar 20 occurringafter said locking bar has .moved to its unlocking position 1s conveniently used for operating the detector bar 15, the operation of which loverlaps the operation of moving the throw bar 10 through its idle movement, hereinafter described, so as toeconomize time and shorten the cycle of theoperation of the switch machine.

Soon after the locking bar 20 has been moved to its unlocking and commences the movementof said throw lost motion connection between the throw rod 11 and the bracket 12 connected to the switch points 2, the first part of the movement of the throw bar 10 (from about 106 to about 180) :is idle, this idle movement of the throw bal` 10 permitting an adjustment of the extent of the throw of the switch points 2 without requiring any' change in the total throw ofthe throw bar 10, and also permitting the acceleration of the heavy throw bar 10 and its connected parts so that their momentum will aid themotor in loosening the switch points 2 and setting them into n10- tion. The actual throwing ofthe switch points 2 takes place during the movcmentof A position, V( at aboutV 106) the upper roller 48 on the driving pinv 47 @mers the notch 54.' in nl@ throw im` 1ok ,Shown in Fis 15-v the driving pin 47 from about 180o to about 258.0, the exact extent of this movement of the driving Vpin v47r depending upon V4the amount of lost motion between the throw bar 10 and the switch points The switch points 2 movevtheA lockv rod-9 connected thereto, andthe. dogs 68 secured to the'barsy v9?* of said lock rod strike the oppositelowered arm of the .rocker-member 67, thereby rocking .the rockshaft 66 andthe tripperarm'69y from the position shown in Figs; 8, 7, 11, 12 and 13 tov theiropposite p0` sition, shown in Fig. v14. Just before the throw bar 10 reaches the end offits reverse movement (at about 250) the pin 93 secured in the yokeV 52 o f saidvthrowf barstrikesthe indication lever 901Vcorresponding to the reverse positionj of said yoke 52, and shifts the carrier block 88 to', itsl other extreme -to bringthe pin 921 corresponding to the lever 901 opposite to the lower, projection? of the pole changer` operating lever 81, as shown in Fig. 14. The locking zbar.20 commences its return movement Ia few degrees before the throw bar 10 andk the'switch points V2 have moved to theirfull reverse position, as indicated in thetable shown in Fig. 2,'this preliminary movement of the locking bar 20 serving tol consume the idle movement of said locking bar, so that shortly afterthe switch points-2 have been fully thrown-to their reverse positionl (at yabout 258"-) the locking bar 20 commences its lockingmovement. Y Y.,

f Duringithe final partof the locking'move-A mentof'the lockingbar 202the locking dog 59l strikes the lower end of `thetripper arm 69 and drives said tripper-arm against the pin 921, which in turn shifts the `pole-changer operatinglever 81, thereby moving the con-n tact pieces of said pole-changerto the eX- tremereverse Y position, opposite Vto that shown in Figi. 3, so as to interrupt the ref verse operating circuit, andclose contacts for the reverse indication circuit.,the"posi. tions of the parts at this moment beingthat vAlthough. the operatingcurrent is cut ofi' from the motor, the armature of this motor wlll continue to revolve due to, its acquired momentum, and to obviate any -seriousresults of this continued rotation of said armature, itis necessary to providey some means Y for arresting its movement. In the' so-.called dynamic indication i the rotation of the motor;isarrested by the generation of the indication current.; but in somel cases,'. for instance, where an alternating currentmotor or alow voltage direct current motor isused, it is impracticable to use cdynamic indication..and in such cases other means for arresting the rotation of the armature of the motor mustV be provided. In the switch machine embodying this inw ventiOn, suitable braking mechanism is prointerlocking system,

vided for arresting the movement lof the armature of the motor after theV switch has been thrown and locked up, which braking mechanism is operated mechanically by the movement of the parts of the switch machine driven by the motor. n

Referring particularly to F igs.'8, 9 and 10, after the switch has been fullyvthrown and locked up, and the parts of the `switch machine are in the Vposition shown in Fig. 15, vthe driving pin 47 continues to move in the direction indicated by the arrow X in said Fig. 15, by reasonV of the momentum of the armature of the operating motor and the connecting gearing and at about 334 degrees the upper lroller '48 strikes the finger 121 of the brake lever1120, which is in its middle lposition shown in Fig.'` 15 for the reason pointed out hereinafter, and Vturns the brake lever 120 counter-clockivise, so as to shift the brake operating rod 113 from its position shown in Fig. 9 tothe right.l Dur-` ing this movement of the brake operating rod 113 to the right the lefthand follower plate 112 (see Fig. 9) strikes the ridges 111 on the side members 94 of the lefthand brake hanger H and swingssaid brake hangerv tov the right so as to bring the brake lining 101 on the leftliand brake shoe 100 intoV contact withthe brake drum 19.4 The gearing connection between the main driving gear4 44 and the casing 29 of the friction clutch K is such that at this time the casing 29 of said friction clutch and the brake drum 19 are being rotated by the momentumof the motor armature and its connected parts in the di rectionindicated by the arrow Y in Fig. 9. The friction between the brake drum 19. and the brake lining 101 causes the whole brake shoe 100 to move upwardly, rocking theV brake shoe supporting arm 104, until the upper end of said ybrake shoe ystrikes the flatv under face 110 of the upper connecting prortion 96 of the lefthand brake hanger K Asy the driving pin 47 is, driven farther by the momentum of the armature of the motor and its connected parts, said driving pin pushes before it the finger 121 of the brake lever.

120 and increases the compression ofthe lefthand spring 114 andthe pressure of the lefthand brake shoe 100 against the brake drum 19. In this way, Vthe armature of thev motor and its connected parts are automat-ically braked, and the parts can be adjusted so that the driving pin 47 is brought to a stop at substantially the same point each time the switch is operated. The peculiar wedge-shape of the iinger 121 of the brake lever 120 permits the arc of movement of the driving pin 47 after it first strikes said finger to be greater than the corresponding arc of movement of the brake lever 120, so that the full brake pressure may be exerted for some time while the driving ,pin 47 is moving.

The stops 1171 shown to best a lvantage in Figs. 8 and 9, limit the outward movement of the brake hangers H and H1 from the brake drum 19', so that any binding between the sides of the hangers and the corresponding follower plates 112-.will not draw said brake hangers out of place. The stops 117 limit the inward movement of the brake hangers H and H1 toward the brake drum 19, particularly when the corresponding spring 114 is compressed and the brake shoe is forced to its lower position, as explained hereinafter.

Substantially the same movements of the different parts of the switch machine occur when the switch is thrown from its reverse position to its'normal position, and 'these movements can be easilyfollowed by analogy to those involved in the movement of therswitch from its normal position to its reverse position, the'only difference being that the armature of the motor is driven in the opposite direction and the driving pin V47 also moves' in the opposite direction.

Referring again to the operation of moving the switch from its normal position to its reverse position and particularly to the initial movement of the motor, while the switch'machine is idle,'th e right-hand brake shoef100 is pressed tightly against the brake drum 19 by reason of the fact that in the preceding niovement ofthe switch from its reverse position to the normal position it now occupies, the finger 121 of the brake lever 120 was'engaged by theroller 4S on the drivingpin 47 and forced to the position shown in'Fig. 8. The righthand brake shoe 100 is also in its upper position pressed against the upper connecting portion 96 of the'cor'-` responding brake hanger H1 by reason. of the fact that in this preceding movement of the switch the brake drum 19 was rotated in the direction opposite to the direction indicated bythe arrow VY in Fig. 9; and in this upper position of the brake shoe 10.0, the

brake shoe supporting arm 104 inclines upwardly Afro'mits pivot axis. In short, when the switch ,is mits normal position the righthand brake shoe is pressed tightly againstV the brake drum 19; and when the armature,

of kthe motor is driven in the direction indicatedbylthe arrow Y so as to throw the switch to its reverse position, the friction between the brake drum 19 and said righthand line. Consequently, the rst movement lof the brake drum l9by lthe motor meetswith material opposition, and this assures thatthe switch will'not be operated l'by any current less than the fullv loadl operating current. After the motor has turned theJ brake drum 19 a few revolutions against' the increased Opposition ofy thebraking mechanism, the driving pin 47 moves away from the linger 121 of the brake'lever 120 and permits the right hand springllto expand and rela-X the pressure of the right hand brake" shoe 100 against vsaid brake drum. When the driving pin 47 leaves engagement with the inger'121'of the brake lever 120, bothfof the brake hangers H and H1V assume a vertical position in whichv neither of the brake shoes 100 exerts any `pressure against the brake drum 19, and in lwhich brake lever 120 as? sumes va middle positionsas shown in' Figs. 13 and 14. The right handbrakeshoe`100, which is in its'lower position by reason of the fact that it was previously forced ldown by thefriction vbetween its lining 10=1 and the brake drum .19, is now returned by the spring 108 to its upperposition. n f

One important 'feature of #this 5 invention resides in the means for preventing the give" ing of a false indication'. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7 4it canbe seen thateithertheeX- treme normal or the reverse position of the pole" changery depends upon the -position of the lock rod 9,'the completion of the' locking movement `of the/locking bar 20, andthe completion of the movement of the throw bar lO. Consequently, complete eorrespondence in the movement of the throw bar 10, the lockingbar 2O andthe lock rod 9 is necessary to'closethe contacts on the pole changer for establishing switch machine."

'One example will serve to illustrate why this cooperationY is made necessary according to this invention'forobtaining an indication.y Assume that the switch 1s 1n'1ts normal posi# tion and that, for some' reason, the lock rod 9 isbroken or disconnected; Vand further as-Y sume that the indication 'levers 90 and 901,

together' with their associated carrierblock 8S and pins 92 and 921, are absent, so that the indicati-on depends merely 'on the move'-,`

ment of the ,lock rod 9 and the completion ofthe locking movement of the locking bar' 20. It should alsobe understood that it is assumed thatthef parts are so constructed that the trippe'r arm69 will act directly on the knobs 83 and V831 of the pole-changer operating arm 81.l Considering the opera-- tion under'these assumed conditions, wheny the operating lever'is moved to its reverseindication position, thel operation of unlocking the switch and throwing the switch'is the same as hereinbefore described, and since it is assumed that the lock rod 9 is broken or disconnected, it remains stationary, andthe the indication circuit lat ,theL

lock dog 59 of the locking barf20 returns in the same notches which it lformerly occupied. Also, sinceV the lockrody 9 remains stationary, the tripper arm 69 remains in its former position; and in the final locking movement ofthe lockingbarQO, this tripper arm 69-engages the same projection 83 with which it was formerly in contact, and transmits the force lappliedto -it-bythe locking bar 20 to thegpole-changcr operating arm S1V to restore the pole-changer contact pieces back to-their former or normal position. The reverse in'- dication circuit is not completed, since the pole 'changer was not reversed. However, theV operator, not having received an indication, would naturally throw his lever back to its normal position with theidea of making another attempt toreverse the switch; and since the pole changer contactsr are in their normal position, and Valthough the switch is in its reverse p-osition,a false indi-r cation is given attesting that the switch is in its normal position. v

The operator relying on v this f indication an'd believing vthat the switch has returned to it'snormal position, probably will make another attemptA to throw the switch tov its ico the result that the motor would be injured A or the Vfuses in the operating circuit would be blown. The net resultiis that the switch is in its reverse position, while'the lever is in its normalpositi'on',and either the motor has been' injured or the'f'use's in theV normal operating circuit have 4been jblown. v

" There is a further@seriousconsequence, in: that, even if the operator has been watchful' enough to "notice, byreason of the failure of the motor r'to take V`full load when he Vfmovedhis `leverback to its normal' indicationl position', that' a false" indication' has? been given, his controly over the switch is lost, and he isfneither able to gethislever toy its full reverse position .in correspondence with the switch, or to move the switch toits normal positiongvand consequentlya seriousA delaywill result. 'f "i f In the switch machine embodyingthis in' vention, however, the above described conditionswill ynot cause Va'alseV indication or other bad consequences. Assuming the same conditions asv hereinbefore set' forth, although Vthe lock rod 9Y andthe tripper arm 69 do'notfmove Vwhen the switch moves and is thrown Vto vits reverse position, V,thc `pin V93 cation lever 901' and shifts the carrier block operating current- 88 se that the pin 92 is ou-t of the path of movement of said tripper arm; and consequently the final locking movement of the locking bar 20 causes no movement of the pole-changer operating arm 8l. This .arm S1 and the slide 77 of the pole-changer are in their middle position, to which they were moved by the cooperation of one of the beveled shoulders S7 with the corresponding knob 85 of the crank arm 84, as hereinbefore described, with the result that both indica'- tion circuits are broken at the vswitch ma-` chine and both operating circuits are closed at the switch machine. The operator, not receiving an indication upon throwing his lever to its reverse indication position, will probably return his lever to the normal indication position, whereupon the switch will be thrown back to its normal position, and the parts being then in proper position to' set up the normal indication circuit, a correct indicationfwill be received.Y i The same operation takes place in case the switch happens to be in its reverse position at the time ythe lock rod 9 is broken or disconnected.. In this way, a switch machine embodying this invention operates so thata broken or discon-` nected lock rod will not cause afalse indication nor any difficulty 1n restoring the switch back to its former-position and using some other route. Instead of the lock rod 9 being broken or disconnected, the throw bar 10 may `be broken or disconnected, or some ofthe operating yparts may be broken or deranged in some'way so that the throw bar 10 is not moved when the switch machine operates while the locking bar 2O is moved; but in these and other similar cases the same protection against false indication is afforded. Y

. Various changes maybe made in the construction of the switch machine shown and hereinbefore described without departing from the invention or the particular physical embodiment thereof disclosed, as for instance,` the well known VVtrack circuit and electric lock may. befsu'bstituted for the detector bar. Also, alternating current may be used instead of direct current for operating the switch machine, and the indication current may be derived from a local source'a't the switch machine. Thefeatures of the switch machine embodying this invention may be combined with other switch machines of a different type and construction, and obviously the switch machine shown and herein described may be made a part of any suitable interlocking system, or of a system for the control of a single remote switch.

Although we have particularly described the construction of one physical embodiment of our invention, and explained the .opera-v tion and principle thereof; nevertheless, we desire to' have it understood that the form selected `is merely illustrative, but does .not

exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying our invention. y y y What we claim as new and desire to secure by LLetters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A switch machine for operating movable switchpoints comprising a throw bar and alock rod, a motor Vfor locking and unlocking said lock rod and ,for moving said throw bar, circuit controlling means for yselectively controlling the normal and reversexindication circuits of said switch machine, and means controlledjointly by. said throwk bar and said, lock rod for operating said circuit controlling means. Q ,A switch machinefor operating movableswitch points comprisinga throw bar, a lock rod and a locking bar'v for Alocking `said lock rod, a motorlfor ,actuating said locking bar and said throw bar, circuit controlling means for selectively controlling the normal and reverse indication .circuitsl of saidswitch machine, a movable device actuated bythe final lockingVV movement of said locking bar, and means controlled by said throw bar and operated by the movementof said'device for governing said circuit controlling means. p

3.- A.` Switch machine: for operating movable switch points comprising a throw bar, a 'lock rod and a locking bar for locking said lock rod, a motor forfoperating said locking bar and said throw bar, circuit kcon-4 trollingl means for. selectively, controlling the normal and reverse indication circuits of said `switch machine and having two shifted positions, ranged to actuate said circuitY controlling means, means for supporting said members shifted byA the movement of said throw bar to a positionin which Aone ofsaidmovable members can actuate said. controlling means to one of its shifted positions, a movable device having two operated positions and arranged to contact selectively` with said movable members, means controlled by said lock `rod for shifting said device tol its'different .operated positions in correspondence with the positiony ofthe switchpoints, and meansoperated bythe final locking movement of said locking bar for actuating said device and thereby causing the operation of the correspondinglmovable member and said circuit controlling means.

.4. A switch machine for operating movable switch points Vcomprising a vthrow bar,

ymovable members ar-` a lock rodand a lockingibar1-forvloeking said lock rod, amotor for actuatingv said initialrunlocking movement of said locking bar for shifting said circuit controller to 1 and means operated by;

list

its middle position,

the final movement of said locking bar and dependent upon the movement of the throw bar for shifting said circuit controller to its extreme position opp'ositeto which it formerly occupied. A i Y A switch machine for operating-movable switch points comprising athrow bar, a lock rod and a locking bar for locking said lock rod, a motor for actuating said locking bar and said throw bar, a circuit controller for selectively controlling the normal and reverse indication circuits ofsaid switch machine and having two operated positions in each of which one :of said indication circuits is closed, two movable members arranged to operate said circuit controller, said members having two positions corre?- sponding to the operated positions of said circuit controller, and means associated with said locking bar and operated thereby for actuating said members, the correspondence of said members being necessary to obtain the operation of said circuit 'controller, one of said members being controlled bysaid lock rod and the other of said members being controlled by said throw bar. Y

6. A switch machine for operatingmovable switch points comprising a motor, a throw bar connecting the motor and the switch points, a separate V movable member connected to thek switch, points, a controller having contacts governing normal and reverse indication circuits, andvmeans' controlled jointly by said throw bar and said movable member for selectively closing the contacts of said'circuit controller.

7. A switch machine for operating movable switch points comprising a motor, a

throw bar connecting the motor and said switch points, a separate movable member connected to the switch points, an indication circuit controller, and operating means for said circuit controller including an operating connection independently controlled by said throw bar and said movable member, whereby the operation of said circuit controller is dependent upon the throw bar and the movable member being in corresponding positions.

S. A switch machine for operating movable switch points comprising a motor and gearing operated thereby, a throw bar operated by said gearing and connected to said switch points, a circuit controller for selectively closing the indication circuits of said switch machine and having normal and reverse positions, a movable member operatively connected to said switch points and having normal and reverse positions in Correspondence with the position of said switch points, a movable device operated by said throw bar and having normal and reverse positions in correspondence with the position of said throw bar, said movable device in its diiierent positions being-iii the path able device to said circuit controller.

9.A switch machine for operating movable switch-points comprisingathrow bar, a lock rod connected to the switch points, a locking bar for locking said lock rod, a motor for actuating saidV throw bar and said locking bar, a circuit controller including normal and reverse-contacts for selectively'closin'g the normal and reverse indication circuits, said circuit controller being operated by the'in'itial unlocking movement of said'locking bar to open both the normal and reversel contacts, and means operated by the final locking movement of said locking bar and dependent upon the movement ofsaid throw bar and said lock rod for actuating said circuit controller to close the normal or reverse contacts corresponding to'the position of the switchpoints.

, 10'. :A switch-machine for operating movable switch points comprising a motor, a throw' bar connecting the motor andthe switch points, a lock rod. connected tothe switch points, a locking bar lactuated by the motor and adapted to lock the lock rod, an indication circuit 'controller adapted to '.close contacts selectively in either of two operated positions and to open such contacts in a middle position, means operated by the initial unlocking movement of the locking bar for actuating said circuit controller to its middle position, and means effective upon the linal locking movement ofY the locking bar to change the circuit controller to an operated position, saidmeans comprising movable elements independently` actuated by the throw bar and the lock rod in accordance with their respective positions and adapted to form an operating connection between the circuit controller and the looking bar.

11. A switch machine for operating movable switch points comprising a motor, a throw bar connecting the motor and the Switch points, a lock rod connected to the switch points, a locking bar actuated by the motor and adapted to lock the lock rod, an indication circuit controller adapted to close contacts selectively in either of two operated positions and to open such contacts in a middleposition, means for operating said circuit controller to an operated position upon the final locking movement of the locking bar, said means including movable elements adapted when in corresponding 4positions to establish anoperating connection betweenthe locking bar and the circuit controller; anti. means cansing said movable elements to independently assume positions corresponding with the respective positions of the throw bar and the lock rod.

12. In a switch machine for operating movable switch points comprising a throw bar, a lock rod, a locking bar for holding said lock rod and a motor for actuating said throw bar and said locking bar, a circuit controller for selectively controlling the indication circuits for said switch machine, and means for operating said circuit controller, saidmeans being adapted to cause the selection of said vcircuits to be dependent upon the position of the throw bar andV the lock rod and upon the final locking movement oi the locking bar.

13. In` a switch machine for operating movable switch points comprising a throw bar, a lock rod, a locking bar for locking said lock rod, an indication circuit controller having two operated positions and a middle position, and means for causing said circuit controller to assume an op.- erated position in accordance with the position of the switch points, said means being dependent upon the positions of the throw bar and lock rod for selection of the operated position of the circuit controller, and being operated by the final movement of the locking bar.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for 14. A switch machine for operating movable switch points comprising a throw bar, a lock rod, and a locking bar for locking said lock rod, a motor for actuating said loc-king bar and said throw bar, a circuit controller for selectively controlling the normal and reverse indication circuits of said switch machine and having two op eratcd positions in each of which one of said indication circuit'sis closed, and a middle position in'which both of said indication circuits are opened, means associated with said locking bar for operating said circuit controller to its middle position upon the initial unlocking movement of said locking bar, two movable members arranged to operate said circuit controller, said members having two positions corresponding to the operated positions of said circuit controller, and other means associated with said locking bar and operated thereby for actuating said members, the correspondence of said members being necessary to obtain the operation of said circuit controller, one

of said members being controlled by said lock rod and the other of said members being controlled by said throw bar.

WINTHROP K. HOVE. VILLIAM S. HENRY. FREDERICK N. HALL.'

Washington, D. C. 

